The red carpet looks very different today from 20, 30 and even 40 years ago – but it appears that some things never change.
No matter who the hot young things of the moment are, there are facial features and aesthetics which will seemingly always find fame, keeping the Hollywood ‘blueprint’ the same.
This summer saw the industry’s latest It-Girl Ella Rubin soar into superstardom after starring in the hugely popular new series from Amazon Prime, Sterling Point.
And as quickly as she wowed viewers with her portrayal of Annie – who inherits a mysterious Canadian island – the actress, 24, sparked immediate comparisons to Julia Roberts.
With her thick chestnut curls and wide smile, Ella is the very image of the Pretty Woman star in the 90s, and is now being dubbed the 58-year-old movie legend’s doppelganger.
Elsewhere, the young breakout star has been compared to another 2000s icon – Anne Hathaway.
However, while Ella has been described as ‘the most beautiful woman in the world’ with her timeless looks, she is not the only famous face that harks back to past A-listers, some going as far back as Hollywood’s Golden Age.
And as quickly as she wowed viewers with her portrayal of Annie – who inherits a mysterious Canadian island – the actress, 24, sparked immediate comparisons to Julia Roberts
Elsewhere, the young breakout star has been compared to another 2000s icon – Anne Hathaway
Zendaya’s deep eyes and sculpted dark waves appear to pay homage to the 90s glamour of Catherine Zeta-Jones, while Isla Fisher’s auburn tresses are evocative of 60s icon Ann-Margret.
Meanwhile, Carey Mulligan’s delicate features and blonde hair channels Sandra Dee of 1950s fame, while Jennifer Lawrence looks just like a young Helen Mirren.
And it’s perhaps no wonder that Lily Collins is set to play Audrey Hepburn in a biopic – as she is her twin with strong eyebrows and sharp cheekbones.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, aesthetics and skin specialist Sana Khan of Marylebone High Street’s Avicenna Wellbeing said that while Hollywood continually introduces new stars, ‘the facial qualities audiences love often return in a fresh yet familiar form’.
However, this isn’t because we particularly favour those features, but rather, because we go out of our way to seek similarities.
Zendaya’s deep eyes and sculpted dark waves appear to pay homage to the 90s glamour of Catherine Zeta-Jones
And it’s perhaps no wonder that Lily Collins is set to play Audrey Hepburn in a biopic – as she is her twin with strong eyebrows and sharp cheekbones
Jennifer Lawrence and Helen Mirren share strong cheekbones, softly hooded eyes and fuller lips, Sana said
Isla Fisher’s auburn tresses are evocative of 60s icon Ann-Margret
Sofia Vergara has often been compared to the striking Sophia Loren, thanks to their constant glamorous aesthetic and dark, romantic features
Supermodel Karlie Kloss shares the same sharp feline features with 50s star Lauren Bacall
‘We keep seeing “lookalikes” and new emerging actresses and immediately think “She reminds me of someone,”‘ she shared.
‘This is because the human brain is naturally drawn to familiar facial patterns. We do not always study the entire face. We may recognise a particular smile, the placement of the eyebrows, expressive eyes or the way the cheekbones or structured jawlines frame the face.
‘Familiarity allows us to instantly connect a new face with someone we already know, even if hair, brows and makeup application trends change over time.
‘We have seen Julia Roberts and Anne Hathaway for many years. When we look at Ella Rubin, her strong dark brows and wide smile recall both women. She is not identical to either of them, but our minds recognise those familiar features and place her within the same visual family.’
She added that these comparisons are also strengthened by hair, makeup, lighting, expression and styling.
‘A hairstyle that reveals the eyebrows and cheekbones can make a resemblance appear much stronger, while a different fringe, colour or makeup style may change it completely,’ Sana explained.
‘There is no single Hollywood beauty blueprint. What remains timeless is balance, facial harmony and individuality. It’s not about one particular perfect feature but the symmetry between the eyes, nose and lips that can raise familiarity.
‘We remember these women not because their faces are perfect, but because they are distinctive.’
